Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
STI & Arbovirus Laboratory 401-222-5591
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Gonoccal Infection (Gonoccal infection)
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) / Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) testing is performed using the FDA-cleared Aptima Combo 2 Assay for CT/NG (Hologic) on the Panther System.
FDA cleared specimens include: male and female urine specimens, Clinician-collected swabs (endocervical, vaginal, male urethral, pharyngeal, rectal) and patient-collected vaginal swabs.
Results should be used in conjunction with the patient's clinical symptoms, medical history, and other clinical/laboratory findings to determine an overall clinical diagnosis.
Specimen Collection: (Follow instructions for collection printed on each collection kit) This test is only approved for specimen types listed in Specimen Section. Specimens received from other sites will be rejected.
NOTE: The performance of the Aptima Combo 2 Assay has not been evaluated in adolescents less than 14 years of age.
NOTE: SPECIMENS RECEIVED FROM ADOLESCENTS LESS THAN 14 YEARS OF AGE WILL NOT BE TESTED BY RISHL.
Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit: (Clinician- collected) endocervical and male urethral.
Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit: (Clinician or patient collected) vaginal, pharyngeal, and rectal.
Note: if requested, a single Clinician-collected Unisex Swab Collection Kit (endocervical) or Clinician-collected Multitest Swab Collection Kit (vaginal) can be used for testing Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis.
Aptima Urine Collection Kit: male and female urine specimens.
Note: if requested, a single Urine Collection Kit can be used for testing Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis.
For additional information refer to the specimen collection tube guidance chart
Hold specimen at 2° - 30°C until transport.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Chlamydia / Gonorrhea
Indicate source type in Source/Site box on requisition
Swab specimen must be received within 60 days of collection.
Urine specimen must be received with in 30 days of collection.
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Specimens not received in approved collection kit will be rejected.
Negative
Providers must report patient information on Gonoccal Infection within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
3 Business Days
Kits are available from the RISHL Center for Laboratory Support Services and may be obtained Monday-Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Kit order forms can be emailed to ridoh.centralservices@health.ri.gov